Archive for June, 2013

It certainly goes without saying that the typical Western diet could use an upgrade. A diet heavy in meat, dairy products, eggs, and various highly fatty, preserved and processed foods can be linked to high cholesterol and a host of health problems and concerns. But what are the alternatives?

The famous author and activist Michael Pollan put it simply:

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

That’s good, sound advice, but what do plant-based diets offer in terms of health and wellness? As it turns out, a lot! Let’s take a look at two popular plant-based diets you may be interested in trying, or exploring further, with a roundup of some of the amazing health benefits for each.

Maximizing Your Health with Macrobiotics

The word “macrobiotic” is derived from the Greek “macro” meaning “long,” and “bio” meaning life. The macrobiotic diet has shown itself to be a possible treatment, and even a cure, for a host of medical illnesses, possibly even cancer. It’s worth noting that this dietary lifestyle, which is by and large high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, and low in fat, is similar to the diet recommended by the American Cancer Society. The macrobiotic approach and philosophy seeks to balance your perspective on food, nutrition and healing.

The Basics

• Organic food is vital in macrobiotics, and organically grown food decreases pesticide exposure, which is associated with cancer and infertility. Also, low fat, high fiber food helps lower the risk diabetes, as well as colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancer.

• Wholegrain cereals and flour are rich with vitamin B. A diet rich in whole grains decreases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. A wholegrain diet also helps maintain healthy bowel functions and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria.

• Nuts help lower the risk of heart disease. Nuts are rich with fiber, omega 3, vitamin E, and selenium, and also contain many antioxidants and phytonutrients that can help boost the immune system. Omega 3 essential fatty acids,also known as “good fats,” helps lower LDL—low density lipoproteins—or “bad” cholesterol.

Vegging-Out with Veganism

Partaking in a vegan diet lowers the risks of high cholesterol and blood pressure and has been shown to prevent a variety of diseases, some of which include colon, breast and prostate cancer, macular degeneration, cataracts, arthritis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. It’s also been noted that a vegan diet can assist in weight loss, heighten energy levels, promote healthier skin, hair and nails, and offer relief from migraines and allergies— even reduce body odor and bad breath!

Take a peek at just a few of the benefits from an all-vegan diet:

• Potassium balances water and acidity in your body and stimulates the kidneys to eliminate toxins. Diets high in potassium have shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. There are a lots of yummy fruits and vegetables high in potassium such as dried apricots, figs and coconut, avocados, spinach, mushrooms and sweet potatoes.

• Many researchers believe that antioxidants help protect your body against forming some types of cancer. When we are eating kale, brussel sprouts, broccoli, alfalfa sprouts and onions we are increasing the anti- oxidants in our bloodstream.

• A diet high in grains, nuts, and dark leafy greens is full of Vitamin E. New research shows Vitamin E can fight Alzheimer’s disease, and that Vitamin E levels can diagnose Alzheimer’s. You must get enough of this important vitamin to prevent the illness. New exciting research shows that it’s possible to prevent Alzheimer’s with Vitamin E. The more Vitamin E you have in your blood, the better. Your Vitamin E levels will predict if you will get Alzheimer’s.

• Plant-based foods provide phytochemicals, which help to prevent and heal the body from cancer, boost protective enzymes, and work with antioxidants in the body.

Choices, Choices, Choices…

Both of these dietary lifestyles offer their own intrinsically unique advantages and guidelines. Identifying your body’s specific needs first should act as a compass in guiding your dietary decisions. As always, it’s best to gather the opinions of trusted health professionals before embarking on your veggie voyage to improved health.

Holistic Holiday at Sea is more than a greatvegan travelexperience, it’s an opportunity to stay healthy while enjoying an incredible vacation! Join us in 2014 for our 11th tasty voyage!

In spite of the progress being made these days, there are still quite a few challenges that vegans face while traveling. While trekking from town to town and dining out along the way, sometimes you’ll find that you’re the only vegan in the group. Often times the only available vegan options are sadly underwhelming, and eventually you begin to wonder if people even know what a healthy head of lettuce looks like!

While not every city on this big, beautiful globe of ours can brag a culture that’s up-to-snuff on the riches of a plant-based diet, there is a way for vegans and non-vegans alike to peruse the world together and enjoy dazzling entertainment, savor world-class vegan fare and receive the remarkable opportunity to learn about the rewards of going all-veggie from the world’s leading health authorities. Allow us to give you a little nudge in the right direction: We’ve created an all-vegan floating city of our very own!

Ahh…Plant-Based Paradise

A truly one of a kind avenue for vegan travel, Holistic Holiday at Sea is an island of friends that fosters a supportive community of open-minded and welcoming individuals who are zealous for healthy, happy living. Voyage across the shimmering Caribbean Sea to exotic destinations, and sink into luxury. With full relaxation and pampering of your mind, body and soul, you’ll soak up the sun, the sights, and plenty of inspiration to help you live your best life through natural health. Choose from a host of educational lectures, workshops, and private consultations by leading natural health authorities on board, to inspire your journey—at sea, and at home.

At Holistic Holiday at Sea, you can revel in all of this and more while:

Opening your eyes to the bountiful benefits of plant-based living through mind-blowing lectures, seminars, and panels hosted by world-renowned doctors, authors, scientists, athletes, and chefs

Enjoying nightly concerts, parties, and vegan social events where you’ll make new friendships for life

Exploring exciting ports of call in beautiful Philipsburg, St. Maarten, historic San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the private island paradise of Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

Take the Plunge with Us in 2014!

Holistic Holiday at Sea offers a truly unique opportunity to experience a plant-based paradise on the trip of a lifetime. Not a vegan or a macrobiotic life-styler, or worried that your meat-loving partner will be looking for a lifeboat? Well fear not, carnivorous comrades! Non-vegans will enjoy the exquisitely prepared food just as much as their vegan counterparts, and will delight in the rich and varied flavors of the fresh, plant-based bounty. Having witnessed a fun, wide-open, and enticing new approach to food and healthy living, we’ve received numerous testimonies about family members adopting a healthier diet back home, and, in many cases, investing themselves fully in a plant-based lifestyle. “A tree is known by its fruit,” a cause is known by the effect. While attending our annual sea-faring festival of vegan travel, non-vegans can witness the brilliant benefits of a plant-based diet while better understanding the scientific repercussions of eating animal products. Come reap the rewards of plant-based nutrition with us in 2014 as we continue to help change lives and hearts for the better!

Holistic Holiday at Sea is more than a greatvegan travelexperience, it’s an opportunity to stay healthy while enjoying an incredible vacation! Join us in 2014 for our 11th tasty all-veggie voyage!